OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2118, 28 June 1907, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

A CHATTY ACCOUNT.

(Special to Times)

WELLINGTON, last night. Parliament was opened with. al. due form and ceremony at 2. 3 C o’clock this afternoon. The element, were not propitious for the occasion the afternoon being overcast and somewhat cold, without even an; occasional gleam of sunshine, to relieve the gloom of a winter’s day. The opening ceremony, although, it dinen but little year by year in the me thee

in which it is carried out, attracted the usual number of interested spec tatbrs and there was as great a rush as ever for the privilege of seats n the old and cramped Legislative Council Chamber, where the Parliamentary curtain was once more raised. The usual salute announced, shortly before the appointed hour, that the Governor had left Government House. In the meantime those who had obtained seats in the Coun oil Chamber had taken tlieir The Honorable the Speaker arrived at 25 minutes past 2 and a few mime

tes later the announcement tui Excellency the Governor caused a I eves to be directed towards the entrance. His Excellency and Ins retinue resplendent- in all tlie glory or * dazzling array of sil'lc and gold-lace walked to their stations and tlie Governor having taken his seat a minute or two elapsed before the ap-

minute r pearance of the Speaker of the House, accompanied by the member: of the popular chamber. The Premier, looking confident and dignified, stood beside the Speaker am. immediately behind the other members ol the Ministry. The stalwart- form of the Leader of the Opposition, who looked as alert as usual, was conspicuous amongst the other members, whilst just behind him the familiar and lofty figure of Sir Win. Steward, the venerable ‘ ‘father ol the House, y i_ T’Vio rinvor-

stood out prominently. Ihe Governor’s speech occupied 16 minutes in delivery. It was listened to with intense interest in view of the surprise ’ packet” that had been foieshadowed by the Premier last- evening. When it transpired that the announcement had reference to the proposal to elevate the colony s status to that of a dominion the mi pressive silence was relieved by subdued whispering and interchange 01 glances between those whose curiosity had thus been satisfied. After this

reference to the more commonplace matters dealt with, the Speech at tracted but little attention . I lit formal proceedings having been com pleted the new Councillors were m trodueed and sworn iii. Previous to this, while Dr. Findlay was intimating to the somewhat attenuated Council the names of the new appointees, there were only thirteen old 1 ' 4-" U *1 rvoc of -M-! n, Hnll lIPII

members on the floor of the Council listening to him. The new Councillors having been duly sworn in the Council proceeded to lament the death of the late Attorney-General. The feature of these proceeding: was a feeling and polished addresf by the new Attorney-General. Sympathetic resolutions were also passed regarding the late Hon.- "Win. Bolt and Hon. Lancelot Walker and Messrs. Kirkbride and Smith. M.H.R’s.

Your feminine readers _ will no doubt be interested in learning something about the dresses of the principal ladies who were present at the ceremony. Lady Ward wore grey crepe de chine (made ill pinafore fashion) over a white net and lace, a little green embroidery being on the bodice. Her hat of grey had a very

long arsenic green plume in it. She was presented by the Speaker with a bouquet of daffodils tied with pale green ribbon. Miss Ward wore a rose-colored cloth dress, white furs, and a. green liat trimmed with roses of different shades. Mrs. Findlay’s frock was of grey-green velvet and she wore sable furs and a toque of

sable roses and lace. Mrs. Boyes, sister of Lady Ward, wore a dark blue costume and a hat with dart blue feathers. Mrs.Waterfield (wife of the Governor’s private secretary), had on a white cloth 'costume and a large pink velvet hat with a long white feather and strings of floral ribbon. Miss Hall-Jones wore brown, and her cream hat had on it

a white plume. Other ladies who occupied seats on the left of His Excellency were: Mrs. Guinness, wife of the Speaker of the House of lie prescntatives,' Sirs. Christie, daughter of the Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, who appeared in plain evening dress.